of Central Bulgaria. 203 



not being able to remain longer in that part of the country, I 

 had to content myself with robbing the nest of the young bird it 

 contained, and leaving the parents at large. In the nest, besides 

 the young bird, I found a dainty dish in the shape of the two 

 fore legs of a lamb. 



Pandion haliaetus (Linn.). Osprey. 



The Osprey is here much scarcer than I had expected to find 

 it ; indeed it is very rarely to be met with, but occasionally it 

 may be seen on the coast and on the banks of the Devna lakes. 



In May, 1865, I observed an Osprey fishing on the stream 

 that connects the two lakes just mentioned, near Geberjeng. 

 It was flying at a height of about a hundred feet, and every 

 now and then it hovered in the air somewhat after the manner 

 of the Kestrels ; suddenly down it came, with a whizzing noise, 

 like a thunderbolt, splash into the stream, making a perfect 

 cloud of spray, which for the moment completely hid it from 

 my view; it rose almost immediately with a large fish in its 

 talons, and away it went to the neighbouring rocks, there to 

 enjoy its prey in undisturbed solitude. 



BuTEO VULGARIS, Bcchst. Common Buzzard. 



Not uncommon anywhere between Varna and Rustchuk. 

 In May 1865 my friend Mr. M'^Veau shot a fine male specimen 

 near Karaharge; and other specimens were shot by various 

 other gentlemen then engaged in constructing the Varna Rail- 

 way. 



Archibuteo lagopus (Linn.). Rough-legged Buzzard^. 



Equally common with the preceding species, but most plen- 

 tiful in the forest-country about Tshicklar, and in the woodlands 

 lying on the right bank of the upper Devna lake. 



Pernis apivorus (Linn.). Honey-Buzzard. 



I was so unfortunate as never to see a single specimen of this 

 species in its wild state ; but that it is a habitant of this country 

 is clearly proved by Mr. M'^Vean having taken a nest of three 

 young birds near Kialdery, at the same time shooting the old 

 male, which he preserved and I afterwards examined. 



* [Is not this more likely to have been Aquila pennata ? — Ed.] 



